Julia Putintsevová (31) went through another audience hell at this year’s Australian Open, to which she contributed significantly. After a tense fight with Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in the first round, this time she had to deal with boisterous Turkish fans in a match with Zeynep Sönmez (23). She was able to handle that too and provoked the audience, among other things, with her dances.
Putintseva is known for not taking napkins if she doesn’t like something. And at the ongoing Australian Open, she even provoked the audience for the second time, because she did not like the behavior of the Brazilians in the first round against Haddad Maia or the Turkish fans in today’s match with Sönmez.
While she ironically bowed to the crowd after her win over Maia Haddad, she put her hand to her ear after a converted match point against Sönmez, earning loud boos from the Turkish player’s supporters. However, Putintseva did not end her provocation there.
On her way to the net, she blew kisses to the audience and after shaking hands, she pointed towards the audience and raised her thumb and fist. And as she strode toward her bench, she began to dance. Shortly afterwards, the attention of the spectators shifted to the departing Sönmez, who, on the other hand, received massive support during the match and after its end.
Putintseva already commented on the situation during an interview on the court, during which her opponent’s fans booed the whole time. “It was a really crazy atmosphere. Look at those guys. They have a lot of passion for what they do. I think that’s great. Especially against me, because that’s the kind of battle I love.
She also commented on the crazy atmosphere, which could be called Turkish hell, at the press conference. “There’s always going to be somebody to root for. That’s the great thing about sports. But I think there were a lot of disrespectful moments today. Like when they were yelling between my first and second serve and they wanted me to make a mistake. Then at one point someone coughed on purpose when I was going to hit.”
It was the audience’s behavior that incited Putintseva even more. “At that moment, I said to myself, I’m just not going to lose this match. I was ready for anything and I was determined to fight until I died on that court. So what? Some people just know how to behave in tennis, some people don’t.”
On Sunday, he can improve his record to 3-1 in the round of 16 Grand Slams. However, she will be an outsider against rising star Iva Jovic. By advancing to the Australian Open today, Putintseva completed her collection of eight-final appearances from all the big four tournaments.
